India has slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammed which claimed the lives of 43 CRPF personnel. It asked Islamabad to stop supporting terrorists and to dismantle the terror infrastructure operating from its soil. In a release, the Ministry of External Affairs also strongly reiterated its appeal to the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. New Delhi said, Masood Azhar has been given full freedom by the Pakistan government to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under the control of Islamabad and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity. It again appealed to ban terror groups operating from territories controlled by Pakistan.
Condemning the attack as cowardly, heinous and despicable, the MEA said, the government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to safeguard national security. It said, India is equally resolved to fight against the menace of terrorism.

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Countries from across the world have condemned the terror attack with the US, Russia and France asserting that they stand with India in combating the menace of terrorism.
Top US lawmakers rallied behind India and extended their condolences and support. The Russian Embassy stressed the need to combat such inhuman acts with a decisive and collective response, without any double standards. Ambassadors of France, the US, Germany, Australia, Turkey, Canada and the Czech Republic also condemned the attack.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. At a press conference, Mr Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed his heartfelt condolences. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a message said her country maintains a zero tolerance policy against any kind of terrorist activities.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said, the world must condemn such brutal attacks and take effective action to prevent such incidents in future.
Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said, his country will continue to work with India to combat the menace in the region and in the world at large.
The UAE called on the international community to unify efforts in confronting extremism and terrorism that pose a threat to global security and stability.

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The meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, CCS will be held today to discuss the security scenario against the backdrop of yesterday terror strike at Pulwama. The CCS is chaired by the Prime Minister. It is the apex decision-making body of the government on all issues pertaining to national security and strategic affairs. Defence Minister, Home Minister, External Affairs Minister and the Finance Minister are part of the CCS.

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Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Srinagar today to take stock of the situation. An official said, Mr Singh will hold a review meetings with senior security and police officials to make a ground level assessment and review further operational actions. Home Minister spoke to the Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Home Secretary and CRPF Director General regarding the terror attack.
Mr Singh said a befitting reply will be given to the perpetrators of the attack.

Teams of the NIA and forensic experts have been rushed to carry out investigation into the dastardly attack by the JeM in which 43 CRPF personnels were martyred.

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The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued an advisory to all private satellite Television Channels to be particularly cautious with regard to any content against maintenance of Law and Order or affecting the integrity of the nation or likely to incite violence. The Ministry asked channels to ensure that no such content is telecast which is violative of the Programme and Advertising Code as prescribed in the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act.

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The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan scheme comes into effect from today. Under the scheme, workers of the unorganised sector will receive a minimum assured pension of three thousand rupees per month after attaining the age of 60 years. Here's more from our correspondent :

"The workers whose monthly income is 15 thousand rupees per month or less and belong to the entry age group of 18 to 40 years are eligible for the scheme. Around 42 crore workers are estimated engaged in the unorganized sector in the country. The scheme was announced in the interim Budget. During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber dies, the spouse of the beneficiary will be entitled to receive 50 per cent of the pension. Family pension is applicable only to spouse. The scheme is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme on a 50:50 basis where prescribed age-specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary and the matching contribution by the Central Government. ANUPAM MISHRA, AIR NEWS, DELHI."

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The Centre has increased the Minimum Selling Price, MSP of sugar, by two rupees per kilogram. MSP is the rate below which the mills cannot sell sugar in the open market to wholesalers and bulk consumers. Briefing reporters in New Delhi yesterday, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said, considering the rising arrears of sugarcane growers, the food department has increased the MSP of sugar from 29 rupees to 31 rupees per kilogram for the year 2018-19. He said, with this step the appropriate amount will be available to sugar mills, which will enable them to pay sugarcane farmers on time.

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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Delhi government, the city Police Chief and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation over the recent fire incident at a hotel in Karol Bagh. Seventeen people had lost their lives in the incident. Terming the incident a very serious case of violation of human rights, the rights panel sought details on the action taken against errant officers, and the relief and rehabilitation provided to the next of kin of the deceased and the injured persons. The Commission also asked the Chief Secretary to immediately form a committee of experts to look into violation of norms by those conducting commercial activities in residential colonies.

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Pramod Chandra Mody has been appointed as Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), a top policy making body for the Income Tax department. According to a government order, Mody, a 1982 batch Indian Revenue Service officer will replace Sushil Chandra, who has been appointed as Election Commissioner. Mr Mody is at present member CBDT.

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The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission to be flexible in applying three year domicile for defence personnel. The court noted that though people in services are posted at peace time place for three years, there are occasion when they are transferred in two-and-half years.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said it will be open for the Election Commission to prescribe further flexible eligibility criteria to ensure that defence personnel are able to vote.
The bench said, there was no need to pass any further order. It noted that the Election Commission has taken a decision to allow armed forces personnel to vote at their place of posting which excludes Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeastern states.

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In Uttar Pradesh, 13 persons have lost their lives in rain related incidents and lightning. Light to moderate rain with thunder and hailstorm during last twenty four hours has brought down the temperature several notches below normal and disrupted life. More from our correspondent:

"This winter rain is said useful for the agricultural crops specially wheat, sugarcane, and Gram. Hail stone at some places have also caused loss to crops including potato and mustard. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed to distribute financial assistance to the bereaved families within 24 hours. MeT Department has warned of thunderstorms accompanied with hail at isolated places over the state today. MS Yadav, AIR News, Lucknow. "

In Himachal Pradesh, several higher reaches received snowfall while other parts of the state experienced rain yesterday. According to the MeT office, Lahaul and Spiti's administrative centre Keylong received 16 cm snowfall, while Kinnaur's Kalpa recorded 10 cm of snowfall. The upper parts of Kullu district also received snowfall. Light rain occurred in Manali, Solan, Shimla, Bhuntar, Mandi and Kufri.
The MeT department has forecast heavy rain and snowfall today.

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British Prime Minister Theresa May has suffered a fresh defeat in a Commons vote on her Brexit strategy. She lost the indicative motion in the House of Commons, with 303 MPs voting against it and 258 for it. Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called on Ms May, who was not in the Commons chamber for the vote, to admit that her Brexit strategy has failed.
The government's motion was an indicative rather than a binding vote on Parliament.

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In the Senior National Badminton Championship at Guwahati, Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu sailed into the singles semi-finals, along with Nagpur's Vaishnavi Bhale and Ashmita Chaliha of Assam. In the quarter finals, Sindhu defeated Riya Mookerjee, Vaishnavi outplayed Shriyanshi Pardeshi and Ashmita defeated Aakarshi Kashyap. Ashmita has now set up a semifinal clash with Sindhu.
In the men's singles, Parupalli Kashyap and B Sai Praneeth entered the quarterfinals.

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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

The worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on a CRPF convoy yesterday, in which scores of personnel were killed and injured - is the lead in the papers this morning. "Kashmir's Bloodiest Day" - headlines The Hindustan Times. The Times of India headline reads "Government blames Pakistan, after local youth rams CRPF convoy with IED packed SUV in deadliest ever terror strike. The paper adds that a youth from Pulwama - Adil Ahmed Dar - who joined Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad in March last year, was the suicide bomber.

"Sacrifices won't go in vain, says Prime Minister, as Rajnath names Pakistan, vows strong reply", is the Indian Express top headline. J&K Governor, Satyapal Malik has said that the attack was partly the result of an intelligence failure.

The Statesman reports - In a set back to the AAP government in Delhi, a two-Judge bench of the Supreme Court yesterday gave a split verdict on the contentious issue of who should control administrative services, but appeared to agree that the Centre has the final word. The matter has been referred to a larger bench of the Supreme Court.

"Arun Jaitley likely to resume charge as Finance Minister on Monday" is the Financial Express headline, nearly three weeks after he relinquished the portfolio to undergo treatment in the US. He is likely to chair the GST Council meeting next Wednesday via Video conferencing.

The Pioneer reports that the Haryana Government has given the green signal to the 106 kilometre Delhi-Gurugram Regional Rapid Transit System Rail Corridor. A total of 6,436 crore rupees has been allocated for the project.

And finally, it looks like your mother was right after all, The Times of India tells us. When you have a cold, sleep may be the best medicine - as German researchers have discovered that sleep strengthens the potency of immune cells.